New Semester!

August is the beginning of the second semester here in Brazil. After two weeks of winter break in July everyone is getting back into the new schedule. Well... almost everyone. Many students are dealing with teacher and police strikes that are changing their school schedule. What does a police strike have to do with students. Those who attend High School at night from 6 PM to 10:15 PM are no longer safe when it is time to catch the city bus home. Due to assaults many are being released early from classes to make it safely home. But this will mean they will lose days of their summer break in December to make up the hours of classes.

For me this means my last three classes until graduation! So close! This semester I study Monday and Thursday nights and Saturday afternoon. I am studying Systems of Management Control, International Financing, and Actuarial Accounting.

Another especial event this month was Father's Day. The kids at church did a special program with songs and a short play and decorated cookies for their dads. It was a special night to remember the God given responsibility of father's in raising their children: protecting, loving, teaching faith in God and being a godly example. I will share more pictures about this in my email update that will be on it's way as soon as I download the pictures to my computer.

Ok, I think it is official. I must be the worst blogger ever. April was my last post! Time to schedule in blog time for each week. Gotta keep everyone updated. This is the first of a series of email updates and blogs to catch you up on all the news. More to come... for real.

Good news! I have been released to return to life with some restrictions- no exercise or exertion for two more weeks. I am so thankful that I was able to have this surgery and we were able to clear out this chronic infection. Please pray as I get back into the rhythm of things.

This Sunday we will be starting to prepare our kids for the Mother's Day program at church and then the next Sunday will be our church's anniversary celebration. So you should be getting some good pictures from me soon.

Just wanted to give  a quick update and maintain my new habit of communication. More to come soon.

So what has been happening? Well, not much and a lot at the same time. April 3-5 we had our annual church family camp. It was a huge blessing. I spent most the time with the kids or preparing for the kids, but was very encouraged by the lessons and reminders of the amazing plan of God for our salvation and Jesus' sacrifice. He followed through to the last little detail and prophecy even in His suffering on the cross. All this for the love and restoration of His lost creation that had long ago rejected Him.

Following the retreat I had a few days of quickly getting things together for two weeks of down time. At the time I thought it would be just one week. April 9th was sinus surgery. I am so thankful for the opportunity to have this surgery done. The doctor encountered a lot of infection that was building up and had no way of healing on its own. (That is why it is now two weeks of rest.) So now I am hanging at home and getting better. But if you know me, I am not being totally idle. I have gotten my Brazilian and American taxes down and a few odds and ends slowly each day. The best part has been a much needed rest.

Well, I am off for now and will write more later.
Experiment two in the world of blogging complete. =P

First Post

Since my website has become totally unpredictable I decided to try starting a blog and see if this will work more effectively. So I will get the news out in my next email and see what happens. Talk to you all more later. Time to set up and teach English.